Zinacef (cefuroxime)

Zinacef injection contains the active ingredient cefuroxime, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. Cefuroxime is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine. Cefuroxime is a type of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. These antibiotics are related to penicillin. Cefuroxime is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

How does it work?

Zinacef injection contains the active ingredient cefuroxime, which is a type of medicine called an antibiotic. (NB. Cefuroxime is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Cefuroxime is a type of antibiotic called a cephalosporin. These antibiotics are related to penicillin. Cefuroxime is used to treat infections caused by bacteria.

Cefuroxime works by interfering with the ability of bacteria to form cell walls. The cell walls of bacteria are vital for their survival. They keep unwanted substances from entering their cells and stop the contents of their cells from leaking out. Cefuroxime impairs the bonds that hold the bacterial cell wall together. This allows holes to appear in the cell walls and kills the bacteria.

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Cefuroxime is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that kills a wide variety of bacteria that cause a wide variety of commonly-occuring infections. Cefuroxime is given by mouth to treat infections of the upper and lower airways, ears, nose and throat, and skin and soft tissue. It may also be used to treat urinary tract infections, certain sexually-transmitted infections, and Lyme disease.

Cefuroxime injection is used to treat more serious infections, and when medicines cannot be taken by mouth. It is also used to prevent infections following various different types of surgery.

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The injection is administered either into a muscle (intramuscularly) or a vein (intravenously).

To make sure the bacteria causing an infection are susceptible to cefuroxime your doctor may take a tissue sample, for example a swab from the throat or skin, or a urine or blood sample.

Warning!

Broad-spectrum antibiotics can sometimes cause inflammation of the bowel (colitis). For this reason, if you get diarrhoea that becomes severe or persistent or contains blood or mucus, either during or after treatment with this medicine, you should consult your doctor immediately.

If you have any problems with your kidneys your doctor may want to monitor your kidney function while you are having treatment with cefuroxime by injection.

Use with caution in

Not to be used in

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not known to be harmful when used by pregnant women, but as with all medicines, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and only when considered essential by your doctor, particularly during the first trimester. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. It is unlikely to be harmful to a nursing infant, however the manufacturer states it should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Seek further medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Common (affect between 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people)

Pain or inflammation at the injection site.

Decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood.

Temporary rise in liver enzymes.

Uncommon (affect between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people)

Disturbances of the gut, such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain.

Allergic skin rash or hives.

Itching.

Rare (affect between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 10,000 people)

Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood.

Fever.

Prolonged treatment with antibiotics can sometimes cause overgrowth of other organisms that are not susceptible to the antibiotic, for example fungi or yeasts such as Candida. This may sometimes cause infections such as thrush. Tell your doctor if you think you have developed a new infection during or after having treatment with this antibiotic.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the medicine's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while being treated with this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.

In the past, women using hormonal contraception such as the pill or patch would be advised to use an extra method of contraception (eg condoms) while having treatment with an antibiotic like this one and for seven days after finishing the course. However, this advice has now changed. You no longer need to use an extra method of contraception with the pill, patch or vaginal ring while you have a course of antibiotics. This change in advice comes because to date there is no evidence to prove that antibiotics (other than rifampicin or rifabutin) affect these contraceptives. This is the latest guidance from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare.

However, if you are taking the contraceptive pill and experience vomiting or diarrhoea as a result of treatment with this antibiotic, you should follow the instructions for vomiting and diarrhoea described in the leaflet provided with your pills.

Broad spectrum antibiotics such as cefuroxime may enhance the effect of anticoagulant medicines to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin. If you are taking warfarin your doctor may want you to have your blood clotting time (INR) checked more frequently while being treated with this antibiotic.

Oral typhoid vaccine (Vivotif) should not be taken until at least three days after you have finished a course of this antibiotic, because the antibiotic could make this vaccine less effective.

Probenecid may increase the blood level of cefuroxime.

There may be an increased chance of side effects on the kidneys if high doses of this antibiotic are used in combination with the following medicines:

The materials in this web site are in no way intended to replace the professional medical care, advice, diagnosis or treatment of a doctor. The web site does not have answers to all problems. Answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone. If you notice medical symptoms or feel ill, you should consult your doctor - for further information see our Terms and conditions.